Welcome to another edition of the 2024 two-start pitcher rankings!
My rankings have four tiers: Set and Forget, Probably Start, Questionable, and Avoid. Set and Forget starters are simply that; get them in your lineup and don’t think twice. The Most Likely Start tier includes players with the mix of skill and matchups that make them almost certainly two-start plays, but not without some elevated risk compared to the top tier. Questionable starters are those best suited for daily lineup leagues where you can bench them against the tougher of their two opponents or are more situation-dependent in weekly leagues. Finally, we have the Avoid tier, which includes two start SPs who should remain on your bench or the wire.
Each week, I’ll be selecting my Two-Start Streamer of the Week. The criteria for a streamer will be a rostered rate under 50% in Yahoo leagues. The Streamer of the Week will be highlighted in the tables in green. Reach out to me in the PL+ Discord or on Twitter @AnthonyTucker81 and let me know if you’d grade the weekly streamer as a win or loss.
As a friendly reminder, the projected starters are just that, projections and subject to change.
Set and Forget
- Cristopher Sánchez and Ronel Blanco are both in must start territory with a pair of ideal matchups. Both emerging arms have potential to give you quality ratios and a win or two next week. While the Nats have been a pleasant surprise in the early going, they’re particularly susceptible against left-handers. Sánchez, with an above average PLV across all of his pitches, should be in line to succeed if he brings his best stuff.
Most Likely
- Nick Pivetta may have shown some rust in his return from the IL, but there’s no major cause for concern here, especially as he lines up to face two of the most disappointing lineups of the season thus far.
- While it’s inadvisable to rely on Brady Singer and his sinker/slider approach against deep lineups, he fortunately won’t see any this upcoming week. Oakland has shockingly posted league average production thus far, but it’s likely more a hot streak than a sign of things to come. Singer has the opportunity to capitalize behind the upstart Royals.
Questionable
- Jordan Hicks and Hunter Greene each have the misfortune of facing the Dodgers next week. In daily leagues, it’s an easy choice to sit them against Ohtani and Co while starting against the Rockies and Diamonbacks. In weekly leagues, they’re both a toss up. Hicks is likely the safer ratio play against the Rockies. Greene, meanwhile, always brings strikeout upside.
- This week presents a fairly limited set of two-start streaming options. Chris Paddack has looked the most promosing of late, but Hunter Brown will be the Two-Start Streamer of the Week given Paddack’s visit from the American League’s most potent offense. There’s been little to point to for optimism for the Astros’ right-hander, creating very little confidence in this week’s streaming pick. It might be best to focus on one-start streamers this week.
Avoid
- For many, José Soriano is likely sitting towards the top of tier 3 given the potential with his high velo sinker and slider. He falls into the avoid column this week solely for the variance he’s shown thus far. Soriano’s poor command makes his ratio risk significant enough to keep on your bench or the wire. Monitor Soriano if he can bring down his 12% walk rate.
Two-Start Streamer of the Week Record: 3-3. Trusting Luis Gil paid dividends as he cruised against the Astros earlier in the week.